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As much as Kris Lees covets winning his hometown Cup for the first time, that won’t have any bearing on deciding favorite Mugatoo’s The Metropolitan lead-up.
"Definitely not," Lees said this morning when discussing his likely representatives in next Friday's $200,000 Group 3 Newcastle Gold Cup (2300m).
"Mugatoo will be entered for both Newcastle and the 2000m Kingston Town Stakes (also a Group 3) at Randwick the following day.
"It will come down to what we feel is the best race for him after looking at weights and probable runners in both events."
The Newcastle Cup is a handicap, whereas the Kingston Town will be run at set weights plus penalties. Winners of each race automatically gain exception from a Metropolitan ballot should it be necessary.
Exciting import Mugatoo, unbeaten from two starts this campaign at Rosehill Gardens over 1500m (Listed Winter Challenge) and 1900m (Group 3 Premiers Cup), is a dominant $4.50 current favorite for the $750,000 Group 1 The Metropolitan (2400m) at Randwick on October 3.
Along with Mugatoo, Lees is looking at Mustajeer, Raheen House and Attention Run (last year's runner-up to Hush Writer) as other Newcastle Cup entries, with Korcho and Aliferous also possibilities.
Special Reward, Le Romain and Chief Ironside are likely entries for the $160,000 Group 3 Cameron Handicap (1500m) on the Cup program.
Triple Group 1 winner Le Romain was runner-up to Chetwood in the 2016 Cameron, then run over 1350m on the Beaumont track.
A Newcastle Cup start for Aliferous will be decided after she contests the Open Handicap (2000m) at Doomben tomorrow.
Andrew Mallyon rides the consistent mare, and Sean Cormack partners stablemate Top Prospect.
"Aliferous has been good at her last two starts, being placed at Randwick (1400m) and Eagle Farm (1825m), and is certainly overdue for another win," Lees said.
"She certainly gets her chance tomorrow, especially going on her Brisbane winter form last year, being runner-up in the Doomben Roses over tomorrow's course and then third in the Queensland Derby (2400m) at Eagle Farm."
Lees has decided to back up Snowzone (Mallyon) in tomorrow's Class 6 Plate (1350m) – and for good reason.
"Snowzone goes terrific at Doomben, and there isn't another Saturday meeting there this month," he said.
The four-year-old has raced eight times at Doomben for three wins and as many placings, and was narrowly beaten by Parko in a Benchmark 75 Handicap (1200m) there last Saturday with 2.5kg more than he carries tomorrow.
Lees also accepted with Snowzone in the Benchmark 80 Handicap (1200m), but dodged that race when he drew the outside barrier.
Lees' other Doomben runner is Articus (Robbie Fradd) in the Listed Brisbane Handicap (1600m), and considers he is capable of an upset.
"Articus ran well last time (sixth to next week's Cameron Handicap contender The Candyman, beaten only two and a half lengths) in a 1400m Quality at Eagle Farm, and soft ground will suit him tomorrow."
Twelve months ago Articus was runner in the Group 3 Cameron (1500m) at Newcastle, with subsequent Group 1 Doncaster Mile winner Nettoyer third.
. Stablemates Geo and The Bopper trialled at Wyong yesterday, and are close to beginning new campaigns.
Geo (Medaglia D'Oroi – Samantha Miss) has been gelded and, with Aaron Bullock aboard, won his 1000m trial on a Soft 6 in 59.71secs.
Geo was a Kensington 1250m winner last December, and has raced only four times.
Bullock also rode The Bopper, who is unbeaten from two starts at Tamworth and Scone, and hasn't raced since blitzing his rivals in the Inglis Challenge (1100m) at the Scone Cup meeting in May.
The Niconi three-year-old was given an easy trial when third to Jaytees over 1000m, and has been entered for a Benchmark 72 Handicap (1100m) at Warwick Farm on Wednesday, though Lees is yet to confirm a start for him.
